After breakfast, the three packed up and left early. Today was their first day running the small business, and they had no idea how it would go.

The unicycle cart was already loaded with half a pig and a cutting board. Now they added another cutting board, a clay stove, and two buckets of prepared pork offal. The handcart was packed to the brim.

Zhou Da pushed the cart, with Shen Linchuan and Zhou Ning pushing on either side. Not just Shen Linchuan, but even Zhou Ning felt they needed to buy a mule soon. Shen Linchuan was right—his father worked himself to the bone day after day. Now in middle age, he wasn’t showing it yet, but when he got older, he’d be burdened with a host of ailments.

The trio arrived early today. Having traded in town for over a decade, Zhou Da already had a fixed spot. Upon arrival, he swiftly unloaded the table and other items, with Shen Linchuan lending a hand. It was his first time running a small business, and he felt a flutter of excitement, though he wasn’t sure how it would go.

Shen Linchuan and Zhou Ning’s stall was right next to the pork vendor. A small clay stove was set up, fueled with wood, keeping the offal warm in the pot. The pork head meat had been sliced at home and was neatly arranged on a wooden tray.

The old man selling baked buns lived on the outskirts of town. He arrived earlier than Zhou Da and his group, pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with a bun-baking stove and a table for kneading dough.

He and Zhou Da had been neighbors for years. Knowing Zhou Da had taken a son-in-law into the family this year, he couldn’t help but glance twice at the young man bustling about the stall. This must be Zhou Da’s son-in-law—a handsome fellow, he thought, and quick on his feet too.

He was also familiar with Ning-ger, who often came to help his father sell pork.

Due to her tall, sturdy build, she’d struggled to find a husband. That butcher’s knife she wielded with such force made her even less appealing to suitors, delaying matters until now. Who would’ve thought Zhou Da was quite capable after all, managing to find his daughter a handsome, literate son-in-law?

Old Wang, the scone vendor, greeted him with a cheerful smile. “Zhou Da, did your son-in-law come today too?”

“He did, he did. The young couple wants to start a small business.”

Zhou Da arrived today with his two children, his face beaming with joy. Having done business in town for so long, he knew many familiar faces. Previously, some matchmakers had even tried to arrange a marriage for his Ning-ger, but none worked out—instead, they only created resentment.

Now that the most important matter in his household was settled, he dared anyone to gossip about his family. His Ning-ger was doing well, and the husband he found was excellent. Watching the young couple busily helping each other filled him with joy.

Shen Linchuan and the other set up their small stall. He smiled at the old man selling baked buns. “Good day, Uncle.”

“Good, good, good! You two are doing well, too. That’s pork head meat, right? Your father brought some of it the other day. I tried it—tasted fantastic. Save me some for lunch. I’ll have it in my scallion pancake.”

“Sure thing, I’ll set some aside for you.”

Shen Linchuan had barely greeted the customer when business began. He knew the man was giving them preferential treatment. Standing before his small stall, Shen Linchuan called out, “Braised pork head meat and offal, folks~”.

Shen Linchuan had originally intended to hawk braised pork head meat, but this slow-simmered dish was called “roasted”. It contained little beyond salt, yielding a primal, rustic flavor. Still, he felt it would be more flavorful with some spices.

He feared shouting “marinated” would confuse people, so he followed local custom and called it ‘roasted’ instead. That way, everyone knew exactly what he was selling.

“I’ll go pay the market tax,” Zhou Ning said.

“How much is it?”

“Ten copper coins a day. Our dad’s stall pays annually.”

Shen Linchuan inwardly clicked his tongue. That wasn’t cheap. “Then pay for three days first. If business picks up, we’ll switch to monthly payments.”

“Agreed.”

Zhou Ning knew the town market well. He counted out the coins and went to pay the market tax.

The small iron pot held pork offal—liver, intestines, heart, and tripe—simmering in freshly prepared brine. Shen Linchuan had already picked out the spice packet. Once the pot came to a boil, the aroma became overwhelmingly potent.

Shen Linchuan surveyed his surroundings upon arrival. To the left of his small stall was his father’s pork counter, to the right a flatbread vendor. Further along were vegetable and fresh fruit sellers, while across the way, someone sold fried dough twists and sugar-coated rice cakes. No one else offered the same goods as him, and everyone operated without encroaching on each other’s space.

The aroma drew the attention of many passersby. “What’s that delicious smell?”

“Looks familiar… pig offal?”

Shen Linchuan smiled warmly. “Want to try? It’s delicious. Our secret recipe—never shared.”

The moment they heard it was offal, many recoiled in disgust. “Ew, that filthy stuff? Who eats that? It reeks!”

Zhou Ning had just returned with the market silver and overheard this remark. His face hardened as he retorted, “It doesn’t smell at all. It’s delicious. Shen Linchuan makes it really well.”

Shen Linchuan chuckled softly at his fulang’s defense. This young man wouldn’t let anyone bully him. Shen Linchuan didn’t believe Zhou Ning only wanted children with him—clearly, he liked him too. He was just a bit dense, unaware of his own feelings.

“Oh, isn’t this Young Master Ning? You’ve been gone for days. Who’s this man? Boys shouldn’t be seen alone together—people will talk.” A middle-aged woman remarked with ill intent.

“My husband,” Zhou Ning stated flatly.

Shen Linchuan’s heart skipped a beat at the words “my husband.” How sweet it sounded. A smile curved his lips, pride lacing his voice. “Yes, I’m his man. I’m his husband—a son-in-law by marriage.”

The woman choked on her words. She hadn’t expected this young man to be Zhou Ning’s husband, and a son-in-law at that! What kind of dog shit luck had the Zhou family stumbled into?

She’d originally come over out of boredom, hoping for some drama. Little did she know Zhou Ning had found a husband! She’d even introduced someone to Zhou Ning before—Zhou Da had been so pleased he’d given her extra meat from the slaughter. Who knew Zhou Ning had such high standards and looked down on that person?

The moment they arrived today, someone was already trying to make fun of Zhou Ning—clearly someone who recognized him. Shen Linchuan asked about it, and Zhou Ning explained, “She once introduced her cousin to her. He ended up being greedy, and she demanded my father pay ten taels as a dowry.”

Shen Linchuan snorted coldly in anger. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? I was way too polite to her just now. If I’d known, I would’ve cursed her ancestors to the eighteenth generation. What a scoundrel!”

Though Zhou Ning’s face remained expressionless, Shen Linchuan saw a huge question mark in his eyes.

“Why would you curse her ancestors? At her age, her father is probably dead, let alone her grandfather?”

Shen Linchuan laughed aloud. “We scholars speak elegantly. We don’t curse directly; we say we ‘send regards’.”

Zhou Ning nodded, half-understanding. “I see. You scholars sure know how to make things sound nice.”

Shen Linchuan found his dazed expression rather endearing and couldn’t resist teasing him. “I’m the better deal, you know. Not only am I fully intact, but I only cost your family five taels of silver. You even got a person for free.”

Zhou Ning gave a serious nod. “Fair deal. Five taels of silver for a person.”

Shen Linchuan was momentarily speechless. His teasing backfired, leaving him speechless. Truly, he was wasting his charm on the wrong person.

“What are you talking about? I’m your legally wedded husband.”

Early that morning, the pork stall was bustling with customers, while Shen Linchuan and Zhou Ning’s small stall remained deserted. Aside from the pig’s head meat sold to the pancake vendor next door, no one else came to buy. At the mention of offal, customers turned away in disgust.

With nothing to do at their stall, Zhou Ning went to help out at his father’s meat counter.

This morning brought customers wanting cuts of meat, ribs, and minced meat—the meat counter was bustling.

Zhou Ning grabbed a butcher’s knife and skillfully chopped bones and minced meat for customers, the blade clanging rhythmically on the cutting board. Shen Linchuan watched with interest. This boy was different from the usual ones—he liked him.

Shen Linchuan’s braised meat stall, however, was noticeably quieter. Even his pork head meat went unsold. Though fragrant, the moment customers heard it was offal, they turned away.

Standing by his unpopular stall, Shen Linchuan figured he might as well pass the time. Knowing his Fulang loved pig ears and liver, he prepared a batch, tossing them with red-oil peanuts. The vibrant red mixture looked especially tempting.

Shen Linchuan carried the bowl over, intending it as a little snack for his Fulang. “Ning-ger, try some. I made this especially for you.”

Zhou Ning was busy at the moment, helping his father chop meat for stuffing. Shen Linchuan held the bowl close to Zhou Ning’s face. “Have a taste. It’s all your favorites.”

Zhou Ning watched the bowl of mixed pig ears and liver, swallowing hard. But his hands were occupied. “Put it down for now. I’ll eat it later.”

“Eat it now. I’ll feed you.”

Shen Linchuan said, immediately picking up a piece to feed Zhou Ning. Zhou Ning had already been tempted by the aroma and was about to eat when Shen Linchuan offered it. He instinctively took it. Pleased with his success, Shen Linchuan picked up another piece. “Have another bite.”

With so many people watching, Zhou Ning belatedly felt embarrassed. He shook his head, refusing to eat. “No more. You eat it.”

“One more piece. Quick, quick, quick.”

Shen Linchuan brought it right to his lips, practically pressing it against Zhou Ning’s mouth. Zhou Ning hurriedly opened his mouth and bit down. “Alright, you should get back to work. I’m not eating anymore.”

Only then did Shen Linchuan leave. His father’s pork business was thriving, and he couldn’t afford to be a liability. With his future path in the civil service ahead, he needed to save as much silver as possible.

Shen Linchuan fetched a fresh pair of chopsticks, stood by the roadside holding his bowl, and called out, “Free food! Free food! Unsold goods, free tasting!”

Seeing a young man offering free food in the street, many stopped to watch. The silk flower Fulang across the way teased, “Oh dear, young man, you don’t know how to do business. Zhou Da, your son-in-law, is just wasting things—giving them away when he can’t sell them!”

“Shen Linchuan wouldn’t do that,” Zhou Ning retorted.

Zhou Da chuckled, “It’s fine. Just some offal. Even if it all gets given away, it’s only a few copper coins lost. I’m not short on pig offal.”

Shen Linchuan felt warm inside as he heard his Fulang and father defending him.

Though cheap, a pig’s offal still costs over a hundred wen. The pig’s head was the most valuable, followed by the heart and liver. The cheapest part was the intestines—a hundred wen for them! That could buy two chickens!